New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-04
Mr.. POTDERLY ON THE BIG STREE

HE SPEAKS AT AN ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE SUP
FERERs-QUiSx DESoUNCEs TIE PRESS.
For the first time in his General Master Work
man L. " Powdcrly, of the Knights OF Labor, acted
last night as stage manager in a New-York theatre.
The occasion was the first concert and entertainment
given by District Assembly No 40, Knights of Labor
for the benefit OF the sufferers by the recent big strike
The theatre was crowded with the exception OF the
gallery and the crowd enthusiastic. Among the
best known labor men present were L. H. Mcguire OF
the General Executive Board George E. Mcneil, OF
Boston; Henry SkiHngton, Victor Drlry, James r.
Quinn, f. f. Kunzc Edward Goldsmith E. Multcrd,
Timothy P. Quinn John J. McKenna, George I. MUIR
ray, Ralph Robb and Charles Merrill.
1t was little after p. nj. when Mr. Powdery,
accompanied by James E. Quinn, the Master Workman
OF No. 40, came on the stage and was greeted with
cheers In his opening speech Mr.. Quinn said:
"'Forty nine proposes that this order shall live up
TO the principles OF its organization. There is not
power enough in the country or all the other labor
organizations with the assistance OF the press, TO
destroy Forty-nnc.'"
Mr. Quinn seemed to feel deeply aggreved at the
stand taken by the papers and denounced them saw
agely In closing he said
q The press OF New-York must alter its course in
relation to the labor movement. They are responsible
Tor the last big strike"
He also thought that they were responsible for
pretty nearly everything else that is out OF gear.
When Mr.. Powderly was introduced he excused him
self from making any extended speech on the ground
OF the delicate condition OF his throat lie said III
part:
" You have read from day to day tor the last few
months of "a capture that has been made OF man who,
humble he may be in his person, hicf OF the
knights ot Labor, holds position second TO none IN
the world. When they say that Forty nine has cap
tured the General Master Workman they state the
truth for he has been captured and brought here bod
lily. Outside OF that he is no more the property OF
Fort nine than OF any other 10y al district assembly
in the order"
In speaking OF the last strike Mr. Powderly said
We do not ask If the strike wise or not II 1t
had been carried out it should have BEEN or II the
just unjust. The fact remains that
brothers in need OF their daily bread and We
ask YOU 10 lend helping hand. This Is the first time
FOrty-nine has asked favor and this Is the
first time ever did Tor them, and this Is rather
duty than favor to the grandest organization in the
country. If the people who are abusing Forty-nine
to 20 to "a meeting of that district and examine
the delegates they would not find single angel and
il outsider TO 60 to the districts abusing
Forty-nne he would not find bin feather from an
ANGELS wing. ] find that it takes all my time TO at
tend to my business and II others were to do the
same there would not be all this trouble"
Mr.. Powderly then introduced double quartettc
from DeDman Thompsons company and long pro-
grammo followed.
ing by "PaJ" Reilly and John a. Mackay They
drew several portraits and landscapes which were arc
toned of by +. Is. Mcguire portrait OF Mr.. Pow
derby sold for So. A picture of General Butler
started at cents but brought 81, and picture OF
James G. Blaine sold tor 70 ceas. black and white
landscape sold Tor 20.